North Point left Genoa without talking

Property sold at public auction to Oak Harbor residents

Mar. 20, 2014

Written by

Christie Fair

News Herald correspondent

GENOA — North Point Educational Service Center did not communicate with the village of Genoa when it moved from its Main Street location to Graytown, the village administrator said.

The educational services provider moved to the former Graytown Elementary School in Benton Township and sold its building in Genoa at a public auction earlier this month.

“At no point between them leaving and selling the property did they communicate with us,” Village Administrator Kevin Gladden said. “We didn’t know what they were doing.”

North Point Superintendent Doug Crooks, however, said Gladden knew North Point was moving as early as May last year.

“I’m not sure what else they needed from us,” Crooks said.

Gladden said the building was sold to Oak Harbor residents who plan to put apartment buildings in that location, but the property is not zoned to allow it.

“It’s a bizarre situation because North Point sold the property not knowing what the zoning regulations are or letting the buyer know,” he said. “We still haven’t heard anything from them.”

North Point used a law firm to handle the sale and met required legal obligations during the process, Crooks said.

“I’m comfortable with what we’ve done based upon our legal counsel,” he said.

The former North Point building is on Fourth and Main and is in the R-1 District, which includes churches and educational facilities. The new owners will have to go through the zoning commission before any additional steps are taken.

Other business

• The definition of a snow emergency was addressed because of a few downtown businesses not clearing sidewalks.

“The village needs to be aware that 2 inches of snow or more is a snow emergency,” Gladden said. “We remove the bulk of the snow but the businesses are responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of their business.”

Snow must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours.

• Several street and sidewalk repairs were approved due to the record-breaking winter. A tree at 405 Main Street also will be removed.

Another phase of LED lights will be installed on Washington Street to Ohio 51 and Ninth Street from Washington Street to Wilson Street.

The village is also starting its three-phase meter program. The automated meter reading with MVRS cuts the time it takes from five days to one.

“We are well ahead of the curve,” Gladden said.

• Gladden proposed a 1.5 percent wage increase for the administration and public works staff.

“This has already been planned within our budget,” he said. “We have not increased any salaries in the police department; we will wait until we get a new chief on board.”

• Council agreed to donate $500 to the Genoa Elementary PTO for their annual carnival.

“I think it’s quite important,” Councilman John Lewis said.

• Council also agreed to donate $250 in the name of Elmore Police Officer Andy Chavez, who was shot and killed at a bar in Fremont.

• Council went into executive session to discuss the hiring of a public employee. No action was taken.